ABC Digital Standards

Transcription

1 ABC Digital Standards Audited Media Association of Australia Limited ACN (A public company limited by guarantee) June 2016, Release Version 3

2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION APPLICATION OF THE ABC DIGITAL STANDARDS AND MEMBERSHIP AUDITS REPORTING PERIODS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales is Required Media Member May Elect to Ensure an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales Submitted MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS VOLUNTARY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS EXCLUSIONS CALCULATIONS CALCULATION OF AVERAGE NET PAID DIGITAL SALES FOR A PUBLICATION CALCULATION OF DIGITAL FORMAT SALES CALCULATION OF AVERAGE NET PAID PACKAGED PRINT & DIGITAL SALES CALCULATION OF ABC TOTAL SALES CALCULATIONS OTHERS VOUCHER SALES NEWSPAPER INSERTED MAGAZINES PUBLICATION SUBSCRIPTIONS IN ARREARS PUBLICITY GLOSSARY DEFINITIONS... 21

3 1. INTRODUCTION These are the ABC Digital Standards made under the Constitution and Regulations of Audited Media Association of Australia Limited (AMAA), and which apply to paid Digital Products registered with the AMAA. In these Standards reference to the Digital means the Digital Versions attached to the ABC Print Version (Digital Versions of ABC Print Product). The Digital Versions will have the same publication name as with the ABC Print Version and therefore there is no need for a separate membership. In these Standards reference to the Digital Publication (Paid Standalone) means a Product of Digital Paid which has no Print Version. It requires a membership with AMAA. In these Standards reference to ABC Audit Report covers ABC Print Audit Report and ABC Audit Reports for Digital Versions (if any). In these Standards references to the Constitution are denoted as Rules, references to the Regulations are denoted as Regulations and the rules of these Reporting Standards are denoted as rules. 2. APPLICATION OF THE ABC DIGITAL STANDARDS AND MEMBERSHIP 2.1 Pursuant to the Regulations of AMAA, the Board of Directors has determined that these ABC Digital Standards apply to Media Members of AMAA in respect of the Product types listed in rule These Standards are effective from June 17, These Standards apply to Media Members in respect of the following Registered Products: (a) National Newspapers; (b) Metropolitan Newspapers; (c) Metropolitan Sunday Newspapers; (d) Overseas Newspapers; (e) Newspaper Inserted Magazines; (f) Regional Newspapers; (g) Regional Sunday Newspapers; (h) Agricultural Publications; (i) (j) Country Press; Consumer Magazines; (k) Weekly Consumer Magazines; (l) Community Language and Indigenous Publications (Paid); and (m) Digital Publications (Paid Standalone). ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 1

4 2.4 Admission as a Media Member for Paid Digital Media Audit (a) Pursuant to the Regulations of AMAA, any Registered Product listed in rule 2.3 can report Average Net Paid Digital sales in accordance with these rules. An Applicant will be accepted as a Member for an ABC Paid Digital Media Audit on condition that, in addition to the requirements specified in the Regulations, an Audit or Initial Audit of each Product which the Applicant has registered with AMAA is: (i) conducted by the Auditor appointed by the Chief Executive Officer under the Regulations, in accordance with the Regulations and these ABC Digital Standards; (ii) subject to the Regulations, for the Audit Period nominated by the Chief Executive Officer; and (iii) submitted to AMAA within a time which the Chief Executive Officer considers reasonable. 2.5 Deregistration of a Member s Product (a) A Media Member s Product may be deregistered at any time by the Board of Directors if: (i) the Media Member's records and information presented to the Auditor appointed for a Product they have registered under the Regulations for the purposes of an Audit are not in that Auditor s opinion suitable to be audited; and (ii) the Media Member does not provide the records and information required to be maintained by the Media Member under the Regulations as the Chief Executive Officer requires in respect of a Product the Member has registered within fourteen days after written notice by the Audit Inspector to do so. (b) The Media Member does not submit to AMAA by the due date a Reporting Statement as required by the these Standards for its Product in accordance with the Regulation; (c) Pursuant to rules 2.6 (a) and (b) the Media Member will be considered to withdraw the Digital Reporting and will be recorded and informed as such to the public. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 2

5 3. AUDITS 3.1 Audit Types The types of audits applicable to Products registered to audit and report for these Standards are: (a) Digital Audits which include: (i) Initial Audits; (ii) Audits; (iii) Inspection Audits; (iv) Review Audits; and (b) any other type of audit determined by the Board of Directors. 3.2 What an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales must contain An ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales must contain: (a) the title of the Product; (b) must be signed by someone duly appointed to sign for the legal entity; (c) the circulation or sales data required under these Standards for the reporting periods applicable; (d) must cover the reporting periods required by these Standards; and (e) data for the applicable calculations. 3.3 ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales Auditor must submit ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales A Media Member must arrange for their Auditor to submit an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales for the required Reporting Periods in these Standards A Media Member must arrange for their Auditor to submit an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales for the required Reporting Periods relevant to any or all of its Publications for which it is a Member All ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the latest version of these Standards and the Regulations ABC Audit Reports for Digital Versions Must be Audited by Appointed Auditor All ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales submitted to AMAA in respect of Digital Audits for a Publication must be audited by the Auditor appointed by the Board of Directors under the Regulations. Media Member Must Provide Information and Access to Auditor A Media Member must make available to an Auditor carrying out an Audit of that Media Member s Publication for the purposes of these Standards all records, documents, information and explanations which the Auditor considers necessary and reasonable to enable the Auditor to prepare an accurate ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales If a Media Member refuses to make available any of the matters referred to in rule 3.3.5, the Auditor must issue a written demand on that Media Member for access to, or the provision of, the necessary records, documents, information or explanations If the Auditor s written demand is refused or not fully complied with by the Media Member within seven days of the demand being made, the Auditor must immediately advise the Audit Inspector. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 3

6 3.4 Submitting ABC Digital Publication Reports Media Member Responsible for Content of ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales Each ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales submitted online by a Media Member to AMAA must be signed: (a) where the Media Member is an individual, by that individual; (b) where the Media Member is a partnership, by the partner designated as the senior or managing partner or similar; or (c) where the Media Member is a corporation, by the Member s chief executive officer or another officer reporting directly to the chief executive officer who is duly authorised by the Member to sign ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales For the purposes of these Standards, a Media Member is solely responsible for the accuracy of an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales in respect of that Member s Publication and the signing of an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales by or on behalf of the Media Member in accordance with rule will be deemed to be a representation to AMAA that the Media Member verifies the accuracy of the ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales Lodgement of ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales An ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales must be lodged by an Auditor to AMAA not more than thirty days after the end of the Audit Period to which the ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales relates. Fee for Late elodgement Submission If an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales is lodged after the time stipulated in rule 3.4.3, the Media Member must pay to AMAA a late submission fee determined from time to time by the Board of Directors The fee for late submission of an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales must accompany the ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales when it is submitted and in those circumstances, if AMAA accepts the ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales under Regulations 3.2, AMAA will only be obliged to include the content of the ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales in the relevant Summary of Data if that inclusion will not otherwise delay the publication of that Summary If a Media Member fails to pay a late submission fee required under rule within twenty days after the end of the Audit Period for the ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales to which the late submission fee applies, the Board of Directors will regard that failure to be a failure to pay a fee for the purposes of Regulation Acceptance of ABC Publication Report by AMAA AMAA will only include in a relevant Summary of Data the content of an ABC Publication Report accepted by AMAA AMAA s acceptance of an ABC Publication Report will be deemed to have occurred immediately before the content of the ABC Publication Report is published in the relevant Summary of Data or on AMAA s website If AMAA accepts an ABC Publication Report, that acceptance does not constitute a representation by AMAA that the content of that ABC Publication Report is correct Subject to rule , AMAA will accept an ABC Publication Report for the purposes of this: (a) subject to the result of any Review Audit or Inspection Audit directed by the Board of Directors in respect of the ABC Publication Report or its content; and (b) if AMAA has no reason to believe that the ABC Publication Report and its submission does not comply with the requirements of these Standards. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 4

7 AMAA will not accept an ABC Publication Report if: (a) the Board of Directors considers that the content of the ABC Publication Report has not been calculated, prepared or certified in accordance with these Standards; (b) the ABC Publication Report has not been submitted within the time stipulated in rule and the required fee for late submission has not been paid; (c) the Audit Inspector has: (i) advised the Board of Directors that there is a concern relating to the reliability of the content of the ABC Publication Report; and (ii) provided the Board of Directors with reasons for that concern which the Board considers are such that the ABC Publication Report should not be accepted by AMAA; or (d) AMAA has exercised its discretion not to accept the ABC Publication Report under rule AMAA May Request Amendment of ABC Digital Publication Report AMAA may request a Media Member to amend an ABC Digital Publication Report in accordance with Regulations Voluntary Reporting A Media Member may report voluntary data in accordance with rule 5.4 in these Standards. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 5

8 4. REPORTING PERIODS 4.1 Reporting Periods The Reporting Periods for ABC Mandatory Reports for the purposes of this audit service under these Standards are as required in rule For Media Members publishing a Print Version of: (a) National Newspapers; (b) Metropolitan Newspapers; (c) Metropolitan Newspapers (Sunday); (d) Overseas Newspapers; (e) Regional Newspapers with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more; (f) Regional Sunday Newspapers with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more; (g) Agricultural Publications with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more; (h) Country Press with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more; (i) (j) Newspaper Inserted Magazines provided with a newspaper nominated in rule 4.2(a) to (h); Consumer Magazines (Weekly) with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more; (k) Community Language & Indigenous Publications (Paid) with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more; the reporting periods for the submission of ABC Audit Reports for Digital Versions are Quarterly: (l) 1 January to 31 March; (m) 1 April to 30 June; (n) 1 July to 30 September; and (o) 1 October to 31 December, all periods including their start and finish dates, or (p) thirteen weeks in each period of three months nearest the periods in rule 4.2(l), (m), (n) and (o), and where necessary to accommodate accumulated odd days a period may cover fourteen weeks. 4.3 For Media Members publishing Digital Publications with a frequency of weekly or more frequently, the reporting periods for the submission of ABC Audit Reports are Quarterly: (a) 1 January to 31 March; (b) 1 April to 30 June; (c) 1 July to 30 September; and (d) 1 October to 31 December, all periods including their start and finish dates, or (e) thirteen weeks in each period of three months nearest the periods in rule 4.3(a), (b), (c) and (d), and where necessary to accommodate accumulated odd days a period may cover fourteen weeks. 4.4 For Media Members publishing a Print Version of Consumer Magazines with an Average Issue Circulation of 25,000 copies or more, the reporting periods for the submission of ABC Audit Reports for Digital Versions are: (a) 1 January to 30 June; and (b) 1 July to 31 December, both periods including their start and finish dates, or (c) twenty-six weeks in each period of six months nearest the periods in rule 4.4(a) and (b), and where necessary to accommodate accumulated odd days a period may cover twenty-seven weeks. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 6

9 4.5 For Media Members publishing a Print Version of: (a) Regional Newspapers with an Average Issue Circulation less than 25,000 copies; (b) Regional Sunday Newspapers with an Average Issue Circulation less than 25,000 copies; (c) Agricultural Publications with an Average Issue Circulation less than 25,000 copies; (d) Country Press with an Average Issue Circulation less than 25,000 copies; (e) Newspaper Inserted Magazines provided with a newspaper nominated in rule 4.5(a), (b), (c), or (d); (f) Weekly Consumer Magazine or Consumer Magazines with an Average Issue Circulation less than 25,000 copies; and (g) Community Language and Indigenous Publications (Paid) with an Average Issues Circulation less than 25,000 copies; the reporting periods for the submission of ABC Audit Reports for Digital Versions are: (h) 1 January to 30 June; and (i) 1 July to 31 December, both periods including their start and finish dates, or (j) twenty-six weeks in one period of six months nearest either of the periods in rule 4.5(h) and (i), and where necessary to accommodate accumulated odd days a period may cover twenty-seven weeks. 4.6 For Media Members publishing Digital Publications that are published less frequently than weekly, the periods are: (a) 1 January to 30 June; and (b) 1 July to 31 December, both periods including their start and finish dates, or (c) twenty-six weeks in each period of six months nearest the periods in rule 4.6(a) and (b), and where necessary to accommodate accumulated odd days a period may cover twenty-seven weeks. Summary Chart of Reporting Period of Digital Publication (Paid Standalone) Publications Type of Digital Paid Volume Quarterly Audit 6-month Audit Publisher s Report a. Digital Paid Publication Daily or Weekly! " " b. Digital Paid Publication Non-Daily and Non-Weekly Optional!! ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 7

10 Summary Chart of Reporting Period of Digital Versions of Print Product Publications Type of Print Product with Digital Versions Volume Quarterly Audit 6-month Audit Publisher s Report a. National Newspaper! " " b. Metropolitan Newspaper! " " c. Metropolitan Newspaper (Sunday)! " " d. Overseas Newspaper! " " e. Regional Newspaper >= 25,000! " " f. Regional Sunday Newspaper >= 25,000! " " g. Agricultural Publications >= 25,000! " " h. Country Press >= 25,000! " " i. Newspaper Inserted Magazine (with a newspaper nominated in a. to h.)! " " j. Weekly Consumer Magazine >= 25,000! " " k. Community Language and Indigenous Publications (Paid) >= 25,000! " " l. Consumer Magazine >= 25,000 Optional!! m. Regional Newspaper < 25,000 Optional!! n. Regional Sunday Newspaper < 25,000 Optional!! o. Agricultural Publications < 25,000 Optional!! p. Country Press < 25,000 Optional!! q. Newspaper Inserted Magazine (with a newspaper nominated in m. to p.) r. Weekly Consumer Magazine or Consumer Magazine s. Community Language and Indigenous Publications (Paid) < 25,000 Optional!! < 25,000 Optional!! < 25,000 Optional!! 4.7 Variation of Reporting Periods Notwithstanding any other provision of these Standards, the Board of Directors may vary a Reporting Period in respect of a Publication: (a) on written application to the Board of Directors by the Media Member who publishes the Publication; (b) where that Media Member has provided documentation in support of their application; and (c) the Board of Directors considers the variation is warranted because of the occurrence of an event outside the control of the Media Member which would result in the circulation data for the relevant Publication being misleading, deceptive or unreliable if the variation was not made. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 8

11 5. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The following mandatory reporting applies to Products registered with AMAA under these Standards: 5.1 ABC MANDATORY REPORTS MEDIA MEMBER TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT ABC MANDATORY REPORTS A Media Member must submit an ABC Mandatory Report for all Reporting Periods which apply to any or all of its Publications for which it is a Member, in accordance with the latest version of these Standards AUDIT PERIODS AND REPORTS RELATING TO MANDATORY REPORTING ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales must be submitted for Media Members required to report under; (a) rule 4.2; or (b) rule 4.3; or (c) rule 4.4; or (d) rule 4.5; or (e) rule Media Members must submit: (a) one ABC Audit Reports and one ABC Publication Report, or two ABC Audit Reports per calendar year; and/or (b) may elect to submit ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales for the periods defined in rule FORM OF ABC MANDATORY REPORT DETERMINED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors from time to time may determine in writing: (a) the form/s in which ABC Mandatory Reports are to be submitted to the AMAA; and (b) the information to be contained in ABC Mandatory Reports and the procedures to be adopted in preparing them; and (c) the frequency that an ABC Mandatory Report can be submitted to the AMAA, and reported All determinations of the Board of Directors under rule must be consistent with the Regulations A Media Member must ensure that they use the form of ABC Mandatory Report which is current from time to time Mandatory reporting requirements, reporting periods and types of reports are defined in Section 4 and 5 of these Standards Records Must be Kept A Media Member must keep all records and documents which are relevant to supporting the circulation claims made in an ABC Mandatory Report for no less than 24 months after the date of the ABC Mandatory Report ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales is Required (a) If a Media Member submits a Publisher s Report and ascertains that the Average Net Paid Digital Sales in Australia for a Publication for a Reporting Period (Current Reporting Period) has increased by more than 10% over that shown in the previous Reporting Period, the Media Member must ensure an ABC Audit Report is submitted for the Current Reporting Period. (b) If rule 5.1.9(a) applies, the Current Reporting Period will be deemed to be an Audit Period for that Publication for the purposes of these Standards. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 9

12 Media Member May Elect to Ensure an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales Submitted (a) A Media Member may elect to ensure an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales is submitted for a Publication instead of an ABC Publication Report for a Reporting Period. (b) If a Media Member elects to ensure an ABC Audit Reports for Digital Sales is submitted for a Reporting Period under rule (a), that Reporting Period will be deemed to be an Audit Period for that Publication for the purposes of these Standards. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 10

13 5.2 MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Digital Versions Sales And Digital Paid Sales of a Publication Once a Media Member elects to commence the reporting of Average Net Paid Digital Sales they must continue to report those sales for every Reporting Period defined under rules 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.6 while they are a Member of the AMAA If a Media Member elects to report Average Net Paid Digital Sales stipulated in rule 5.2.1, a Reporting Statement for Digital Versions of a Publication and Digital Paid must be prepared and show: (a) the number for Average Net Paid Digital Sales (ANPDS) in Australia; and (b) the number for Average Net Paid Digital Sales (ANPDS) in Australia (excluding all Other Countries Sales), reported separately, which comprise each of the following as Digital Format Sales: (i) Digital Magazine; or (ii) Digital Newspaper; and/or (iii) Newspaper App; and/or (iv) Website Subscription. (c) Average Net Paid Packaged Print & Digital Sales. (d) the number for Other Digital Sales which comprise each of the following: (i) All Other Countries Average Net Paid Digital Sales Reporting Requirements for ABC Total Sales of a Publication Where a Member reports Digital Sales for a Publication, for every Reporting Period defined under Section 4 of these Standards, a Reporting Statement for ABC Total Sales of a Publication must be prepared and show: (a) separately, the number of: (i) Average Net Paid Print Sales (ANPPS) in Australia; (ii) Average Net Paid Digital Sales in Australia (ANPDS) in Australia; and (b) The number of Average Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Sales in Australia Publication May Show Lower Figures A Publication may submit and show a lower than actual figure for ANPDS for a Reporting Period. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 11

14 5.3 VOLUNTARY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Voluntary Reporting Accepted by AMAA AMAA will accept ABC Voluntary Reports from a Media Member in respect of a Publication relating to: (a) specific additional data; (b) specific Issue reporting; or (c) the frequency of reporting of Average Net Paid Sales Media Members May Elect to Report Additional Data Media Members may elect to report specific additional data (Voluntary Reporting) for a Publication in the form of separate reporting of Individual Subscription Sales Additional data reported by a Media Member for a Publication will be: (a) submitted as an ABC Voluntary Report; (b) reported in the form determined by the Board of Directors; and (c) must be provided with auditor s verification or the Media Member must make available to AMAA relevant substantive documentation Media Members May Elect to Report Specific Issue Data Media Members may elect to report specific Issue data (Voluntary Reporting) for a Publication in the form of Specific Issue Circulation for any Publication provided without the requirement of separate Category reporting under rules 5.2.2(b) Specific Issue data reported by a Media Member for a Publication will be: (a) submitted as an ABC Voluntary Report; (b) reported in the form determined by the Board of Directors; and (c) must be provided with auditor s verification or the Media Member must make available to AMAA relevant substantive documentation Media Members May Elect to Increase Frequency of Reporting of Average Net Paid Digital Sales Media Members may elect to provide ABC Voluntary Reports for a Publication on a greater frequency than as required by these Standards ABC Voluntary Reports by a Media Member for a Publication must: (a) be submitted as an ABC Voluntary Report; (b) be reported in the form determined by the Board of Directors and in accordance with these Standards and the Audit Guidelines; (c) fall within an established Reporting Period; and (d) be for a minimum of 12 continuous months Cessation of Voluntary Reporting If a Media Member elects to cease Voluntary Reporting they can only do so at the end of a Reporting Period All Voluntary Reporting Data is Subject to Audit Inspection (a) All data submitted as an ABC Voluntary Report may be subject to an Inspection Audit in accordance with the Regulations. (b) Any variances discovered in an Inspection Audit will be dealt with by the Board of Directors in the same manner as a Query in accordance with the Regulations 7.1 of AMAA. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 12

15 Application to submit an ABC Voluntary Report Any Media Member wishing to submit an ABC Voluntary Report must apply in writing to the Chief Executive Officer for approval, specifying: (a) the type of additional data to be provided; and (b) the nominated frequency of reporting. All ABC Voluntary Reports must be submitted in accordance with rules 5.4.3, 5.4.5, and 5.4.7, as applicable The Chief Executive Officer may accept or refuse an application from a Media Member applying for Voluntary Reporting and will advise the Member of the acceptance or refusal of the application If the application is accepted, the Chief Executive Officer will notify the Media Member in writing of: (a) the data to be submitted; and (b) the frequency of reporting. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 13

16 6 EXCLUSIONS 6.1 ABC Mandatory Report Must Include Every Digital Publishing Day Subject to the remaining provisions of these Standards, an ABC Mandatory Report for a Reporting Period must include every Digital Publishing Day in respect of the Digital Version of ABC Print Product or Digital Publications (Paid Standalone) to which it relates subsequent to the immediately previous Reporting Period for that Publication. 6.2 Media Members publishing a: (a) National Newspapers; (b) Metropolitan Newspapers; (c) Metropolitan Sunday Newspapers; (d) Overseas Newspapers; (e) Regional Newspapers; (f) Regional Sunday Newspapers; (g) Country Press; or (h) Newspaper Inserted Magazine provided with a newspaper nominated in rule 6.2 (a) to (g), may elect to omit from an ABC Mandatory Report for the Digital Versions of that newspaper or Newspaper Inserted Magazine those Issues published on: (i) officially gazetted public holidays in the state or territory of publication; and (ii) where that newspaper or Newspaper Inserted Magazine is published nationally, which are held on the same or different dates in the various states and territories of publication; and (iii) other days nominated by the Board of Directors from time to time and advised to affected Members and in this respect the Board must nominate relevant days relating to the Christmas, New Year and Easter holiday periods each year as Optional Exclusion Dates. 6.3 Media Members publishing a Weekly Consumer Magazine may elect to omit from an ABC Mandatory Report for the Digital Versions of that magazine those Issues published on: (a) officially gazetted public holidays: (i) in the state or territory of publication; or (ii) where that magazine is published nationally, which are held on the same or different dates in the various states and territories of publication; and (b) other days nominated by the Board of Directors from time to time and advised to affected Members, and in this respect the Board of Directors must nominate relevant days relating to the Christmas, New Year and Easter holiday periods each year as Optional Exclusion Dates. 6.4 Media Members publishing a Consumer Magazine with any Issue whose Start Date falls within 7 days (inclusive) of the end of an Audit Period will not be included in that Audit Period and will be included in the following Audit Period instead. Example: an Issue of a Monthly Magazine has a Start Date of June 24. The Audit Period ends on June 30. This Issue will be included in the July 1 to December 31 Audit Period. 6.5 Media Members publishing a Digital Publication (Paid Standalone) may elect to omit from an ABC Mandatory Report those Issues published on under rules 6.2 and The Board of Directors may omit days from a Reporting Period: (a) in respect of a Publication if: (i) the Media Member for that Publication makes a written application to the Board of Directors requesting that omission; (ii) the reason for the Media Member s request for omission of days relates to an event beyond the control of the Member (Event); ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 14

17 (iii) the Media Member provides evidence satisfactory to the Board which substantiates that the Event occurred; and (iv) the Board considers that the Event would result in the circulation data for the Publication for the relevant Reporting Period being misleading, deceptive or unreliable if days were not omitted from the Reporting Period that Publication; or (b) if the Board of Directors on its own initiative considers that the omission of days is reasonable in respect of a certain class of Publication in all the circumstances and the omission applies to all Media Members who publish that class of Publication. 6.7 Media Members publishing a: (a) National Newspapers; (b) Metropolitan Newspapers; (c) Metropolitan Sunday Newspapers; (d) Overseas Newspapers; (e) Regional Newspaper; (f) Regional Sunday Newspapers; (g) Country Press; or (h) Newspaper Inserted Magazine provided with a newspaper nominated in rule 6.7 (a) to (g), may elect not to publish an Issue of the Publication on a regular Publishing Day which is either: (i) an officially gazetted public holiday in the state or territory in which the Publication is published; (j) a day nominated by the Board of Directors and advised to affected Members pursuant to rule 6.2; or (k) a day which immediately precedes or immediately follows a day mentioned in rule 6.7 (h) or (i), and instead may: (l) publish a single Issue across a period which comprises only days referred to in rule 6.6 (h) to (j) or any combination of them (Occasion); and (m) for the purposes of an ABC Mandatory Report, elect to regard all sales of that single Issue made across the Occasion as being made on a day nominated by the Media Member and which falls in the Occasion, but only in respect of: (n) for a National Newspaper or a Newspaper Inserted Magazine provided with a National Newspaper, not more than five Occasions each year; and (o) for any other newspaper or a Newspaper Inserted Magazine provided with that other newspaper referred to in rule 6.6 (b) to (h) not more than four Occasions each year, where a Media Member includes an Occasion (or more than one Occasion) in a Reporting Period for a Publication, the Member must advise that fact to AMAA. In that case, AMAA must note in any relevant Summary of Data covering the Reporting Period that the number of Issues for that Publication for the Reporting Period includes the relevant number of Bumper Issues. 6.9 If a Media Member elects to omit gazetted public holidays or other days in accordance with rules 6.2 or 6.3 or accepts an omission allowed by the Board of Directors under rule 6.7 (or where the Media Member is entitled to do so, omits days in accordance with both of those rules), the Media Member must submit an ABC Mandatory Report for the Reporting Period with days omitted as provided in (or where the Media Member is entitled to do so, as provided in more than one of those rules), as the case may be. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 15

18 7 CALCULATIONS 7.1 CALCULATION OF AVERAGE NET PAID DIGITAL SALES FOR A PUBLICATION The following calculations are applicable to products registered for audit with AMAA under these Standards: Average Net Paid Digital Sales must be calculated as follows: Add the total number of issues comprising Gross Paid Digital Sales of each Issue of the Publication made in the Reporting Period (Total Gross Paid Digital Sales) From Total Gross Paid Digital Sales: (a) Deduct the number (if any) of issues of the Publication which are any of the following and which are included in Total Gross Paid Digital Sales: (i) Back Issues or Out of Date Issues in Digital; (ii) Contra Sales in Digital; (iii) Free Subscriptions in Digital; Resulting in Total Adjusted Gross Paid Digital Sales (Total Net Paid Digital Sales) Divide the number of Total Adjusted Gross Paid Digital Sales of the Publication in Australia by the number of Issues in the Reporting Period less Exclusions described in Section 6 in these Standards to obtain the number for Average Net Paid Digital Sales in Australia Determine the number of Total Adjusted Gross Paid Digital Sales for all Other Countries (countries other than Australia), which will be the Total Net Paid Digital Sales in countries other than Australia Divide the Total Net Paid Digital Sales in all Other Countries by the number of Issues during the Reporting Period to obtain the number for Average Net Paid Digital Sales in Other Countries (countries other than Australia). ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 16

19 7.2 CALCULATION OF DIGITAL FORMAT SALES The following is the Version Sales of a subscriber of Digital Sales: (a) Digital Magazine; or (b) Digital Newspaper; and/or (c) Newspaper App; and/or (d) Website Subscription Calculation of Digital Format Sales explained: Newspaper Example Magazine Example a Average Net Paid Digital Sales (ANPDS) in Australia 32,560 17,500 b Average Net Paid Digital Magazine Sales NA 11,500 c Average Net Paid Digital Newspaper Sales 10,000 NA d Average Net Paid Newspaper App Sales 32,560 NA e Average Net Website Subscription Sales 32,560 17,500 f Average Net Paid Packaged Print & Digital Sales 7,560 5,250 g Number of Issues in the Reporting Period If you have made digital sales for one subscriber across two or more versions (b and/or c and/or d) this must only be counted as one in (a) Average Net Paid Digital Sales in Australia not two or more as there is only one sale, please refer to the example below for further clarification; Magazine Example Sales Format (Units) (a) ANPDS (b) Digital Magazine Sales (e) Website Subscription Sales Subscriber 1 Subscriber 2 Subscriber Sales Version Sales Based on this Magazine example the number included in ANPDS will be 3 based on the number of Subscribers not 4, which is the overall total for version sales. Enter the number of version sales as shown above b = 2, e = 2, therefore the total of b + e can be greater than ANPDS (a). ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 17

20 Newspaper Example Subscriber 1 Subscriber 2 Subscriber 3 Sales (a) ANPDS) Format (Units) (c) Digital Newspaper Sales (d) Newspaper App Sales Sales (e) Website Subscription Sales 7 Version Sales Based on this Newspaper example the number included in ANPDS will be 3 based on the number of Subscribers not 7, which is the overall total for version sales. Enter the number of version sales as shown above c=2, d=3, e=2, therefore the total of c + d + e can be greater than ANPDS (a). 7.3 CALCULATION OF AVERAGE NET PAID PACKAGED PRINT & DIGITAL SALES (a) Calculation of Average Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales of a Publication Average Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales of a Publication must be calculated as follows: (b) Add the total number of copies comprising Gross Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales of each Issue of the Publication made in the Reporting Period (Total Gross Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales). (c) From Total Gross Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales; (i) Adjust for the number (if any) of copies of the Publication comprising the difference between the estimated number of Return Copies of the Print Version for the previous Reporting Period and the actual number of Return Copies of the Print Version of the same Reporting Period. (ii) Then, deduct the number (where relevant) of copies of the Publication which are any of the following and which are included in Total Gross Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales: Return Copies; Contra Copies; Out of Date Copies; Banded Copies; Modified Domestic Copies; and Modified Overseas Copies. Resulting in Total Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales. (d) Divide the number of Total Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales in Australia by the number of Issues during the Reporting Period to obtain the number for Average Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales in Australia. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 18

21 7.4 CALCULATION OF ABC TOTAL SALES (a) For Australia, the ABC Total Sales is the total of: (i) Average Net Paid Print Sales (ANPPS); and (ii) Average Net Paid Digital Sales (ANPDS). ABC Total Sales Calculation Explained Total Sales Metrics Code Type Calc. Value Example Average Net Paid Print Sales (ANPPS) A Input 120,000 Average Net Paid Digital Sales (ANPDS) B Input 32,560 ABC Total Sales C Calc = A + B 152,560 Digital Format Average Net Paid Digital Magazine Sales D Input 0 Average Net Paid Digital Newspaper Sales E Input 10,000 Average Net Paid Newspaper App Sales F Input 32,560 Average Net Paid Website Subscription Sales G Input 32,560 Average Net Paid Packaged Print & Digital Sales H Input 7,560 Others New Zealand Print Sales (ANPPS) Other Countries Print Sales (ANPPS) I J Input 5,000 Input 700 Other Countries Digital Sales (ANPDS) K Input 700 Australian ABC Total Sales: Code A + B = C (i.e. 152,560) Average Net Paid Packaged Print & Digital Sales: Code H is included in A, B and C. 7.5 CALCULATIONS OTHERS VOUCHER SALES (a) Voucher Sales must not be included in any number in a Reporting Statement NEWSPAPER INSERTED MAGAZINES (a) The provisions of these Standards concerning the calculation of the numbers of Average Net Paid Digital Sales of a Publication (and their Classes and Categories) allowed to be shown in a Reporting Statement apply, with the necessary changes being made, to the calculation of the respective numbers for the average distribution of Newspaper Inserted Magazines allowed to be shown in a Reporting Statement prepared for that purpose PUBLICATION SUBSCRIPTIONS IN ARREARS (a) An individual continuous subscription to a Publication which: (i) being a Regional Newspaper or a Country Press, is more than six months in arrears; or (ii) being any other type of Publication, is more than four months in arrears, must not be included in the calculation of any class of Net Paid Sales. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 19

22 8. PUBLICITY In addition to the Regulations, the following publicity rules apply to the products registered with AMAA under these Standards: Rules for Reporting AMAA reported ABC Paid Digital Media Audit Data 8.1 The reporting of AMAA reported ABC data must be clear and transparent. 8.2 Any comparison of AMAA reported ABC data must be made on a like-for-like basis. 8.3 AMAA reported ABC data must not be manipulated to create figures that have not been released by the AMAA. 8.4 AMAA reported ABC data must not be manipulated to create a false or inaccurate impression. 8.5 AMAA reported ABC data must not be compared to data from other sources. 8.6 Where a Member makes any statement concerning the circulation data for a Product and involving any figures sourced to AMAA or AMAA s Summaries of Data, that statement: (a) must acknowledge AMAA as the source of the figures; and (b) must include the figures appearing in their most recent AMAA Mandatory Report; and (c) must state the Reporting Period to which the figures relate. 8.7 Data reported under these Standards must not be manipulated to create figures that have not been released by AMAA. For example, no aggregation of any data can be made across categories and products that have not been accumulated by AMAA in its own Summaries of Data. 8.8 Members must not aggregate or calculate figures across any metrics or reporting periods. 8.9 Old or out-of-date ABC metrics can not be compared to current reported data Members may report and compare: (a) the Categories of Average Net Paid Print Sales for a Publication(s) but must include the current Average Net Paid Print Sales figure. (b) the Digital Formats of Average Net Paid Digital Sales for a Publication(s) but must include the current Average Net Paid Digital Sales figure Board of Directors to approve Voluntary Reporting Publicity Requirements All publicity requirements relating to AMAA Voluntary Reports will be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board will be guided by the following: (a) A Media Member can only make like for like comparisons with other data from the same Publication, not comparisons with other Publications. (b) Additional Data must be reported with the relevant Average Net Paid Print Sales figure, Average Net Paid Digital Sales figure or corresponding Specific Issue Net Paid Print Sales figure or Specific Issue Net Paid Digital Sales figure. (c) For Specific Issue Reporting only the Net Paid Print Sales figure can be reported but the Average Net Paid Print Sales figure must be reported for the Reporting Period in which the Issue appeared or prior Reporting Period in the event that the Specific Issue Reporting is before the close of a period. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 20

23 9. GLOSSARY 9.1 DEFINITIONS The following definitions apply in these Standards unless otherwise indicated: Note Certain of these Definitions contain references to the price at which a Publication is sold. These references relate to the eligibility of these sales in Net Paid Sales and Other Sales and in no way suggest or imply how publishers should construct their sales arrangements for either wholesale or retail. AMAA is the Audited Media Association of Australia Limited named in Regulations 1.1. ABC is a brand of the Audited Media Association of Australia Limited. ABC Digital Audit Report is a report by an Auditor: (a) in respect of an Audit; and (b) which is prepared as required by the Regulations and in accordance with the Audit Guidelines and these Standards. ABC Logo is any official logo or insignia issued by AMAA in relation to its Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) brand. ABC Mandatory Report is an ABC Print and/or Digital Audit Report or an ABC Publication Report. ABC Publication Report is a statement by a Media Member: (a) in respect of the paid sales of a Publication or the distribution of a Newspaper Inserted Magazine; (b) prepared as required by the Regulations and in accordance with the Audit Guidelines and these standards; and (c) which may be Audited and subject to Audit Inspection. ABC Voluntary Report is a statement by a Media Member (a) in respect of the paid sales of a Publication Product or the distribution of a Newspaper Inserted Magazine; (b) providing additional reporting to that required in rules 4 and 5 for a Publication; and (c) prepared as required by these Standards; but which is not required to be Audited, but may be subject to Audit Inspection. Adjustments means those copies of a Publication that are not eligible for inclusion in the calculation of Average Net Paid Print Sales or Average Net Paid Digital Sales and identified in Total Adjusted Gross Paid Print Sales or Total Adjusted Gross Paid Digital Sales. Advertised Price is the price at which a subscription to a Publication is offered to either: (a) the public, or a class of the public, generally; (b) for Print Versions sold to an organisation which: (i) arranges for a single copy of the Publication to be distributed to named persons, or their named positions, in that organisation or any other organisation; and (ii) allows the named persons, or the persons in those named positions, the choice to refuse the Publication; or (c) a person as a member of an association in circumstances where: (i) the price of the subscription is clearly, separately identified from the membership fee of the association; and (ii) the member can refuse the subscription so as to result in the member not being required to pay the amount identified as the price of the subscription. Agricultural Publication is a Product which is a newspaper or magazine targeted to the primary producer and other participants in the agribusiness sector. Applicant is the publisher or issuer of a Product whose membership and registration is under consideration by the Board and who has yet to complete an Initial Audit. Arrangement is a financial transaction where there is the payment of money for the sale of copies. Association Subscription Sale is a sale of a Publication to a person as a member of an association in circumstances where the member receives the Publication either: (a) as part of the member s membership fee of the association, or (b) at a separately identified price; and cannot elect to refuse to receive the Publication so as to result in the member receiving a refund of the price of the Publication. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 21

24 Audit is the following full Audit of a Product after the Initial Audit has been completed. Audit Inspector is the person appointed in accordance with Regulations for the purposes described in Regulations 4.4.2, 4.4.3, and Audit Periods are the reporting periods which require an Audit in accordance with Section 4 of these standards, which may be varied from time to time by the Board of Directors, and which apply in respect of a Publication. Auditor is an independent auditor who satisfies the requirements of Regulation and has been approved by the Board of Directors under Regulation to carry out Audits. Auditor s Certificate is an online certificate provided by an Auditor in respect of a Circulation and Digital Audit and in the form required by the Reporting Standards. Augmented means enriched through digital elements. Average ABC Total Sales is the average number of sales of a Publication sold during a Reporting Period and is calculated by the addition of: (a) Average Net Paid Print Sales in Australia; and (b) Average Net Paid Digital Sales in Australia. Average Net Paid Digital Sales is the average number of sales of a Publication sold during a Reporting Period: (a) which are either: (i) Average Net Paid Digital Magazine Sales; (ii) Average Net Paid Digital Newspaper Sales; (iii) Average Net Paid Newspaper App Sales; (iv) Average Net Paid Website Subscription Sales; or (b) Average Net Paid Digital Publication Sales. Average Net Paid Digital Publication Sales is the average number of sales of a Digital Publication sold during a Reporting Period. Average Net Paid Print Sales is the average number of sales of a Print Publication sold during a Reporting Period calculated in accordance with rule 7.1 of ABC Print Standards. Average Net Paid Packaged Print and Digital Subscription Sales is the average number of sales of Packaged Print and Digital Subscriptions of a Publication sold during a Reporting Period. Average Net Paid Sales is the average number of sales of a Publication sold during a Reporting Period which are either: (a) Average Net Paid Print Sales; (b) Average Net Paid Digital Sales; and/or (c) Average ABC Total Sales. Branded Digital Product is a digital product that carries the branding of a Masthead and: (a) may be a brand-extension or branded aggregation publication; (b) draws on content which is substantially different from the Publication; and (c) is not the Publication. Branded Digital Product Sale is a sale of a Branded Digital Product, which is a separately identifiable purchase. Circulation Audit is an Audit of either: (a) the paid sales of a Publication; or (b) the distribution of a Newspaper Inserted Magazine. Community Language and Indigenous Publications (Paid) is a product which: (a) is a publication; (a) is distributed to an audience that shares a cultural identity; and (b) may be written in a language other than English. Company means Audited Media Association of Australia Limited. Constitution means the Constitution of the Company as amended from time to time. Consumer Magazine is a product which is a Publication which is: (a) a magazine; (b) published on a non-weekly publication cycle; and (c) made available for purchase. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 22

25 Content is editorial and/or advertorial information and material that appears in an Edition of an audited Issue of a Publication. Contra Sales are sales of a Publication where the consideration for these sales is other than the payment of money. These cannot be counted in Average Net Paid Sales. Country Press is a Publication which is: (a) a non-daily newspaper; (b) published other than in a capital city for local distribution; and (c) published on at least one day each week. Designated On Sale Period is the on sale period of an Issue as advertised by the Publisher. Digital Magazine is a Digital Version of an audited Publication which: (a) can be either a replica or be enhanced in format; (b) carries the same Masthead and Underlying Identity and the same Cover Date; (c) carries substantially the same publisher-originated Content; (d) may carry different editorial content that may be updated or customised; and (e) may carry different advertising, and are not; (f) restricted access or unrestricted public access websites; (g) service or brand-extension applications; (h) or branded aggregation applications that draw on content which is substantially different content from the audited Print Version. Digital Magazine Sales are the sales of a Digital Version of a Publication. Digital Newspaper is a Digital Version of an audited Publication which: (a) carries the same Masthead and Underlying Identity and the same Cover Date; (b) carries substantially the same run-of-press advertising in the same layout; and (c) carries substantially the same editorial Content. The Content can be updated and Augmented but the layout of text and images must remain consistent at all times with the Underlying Identity of the audited Print Version; and (d) the advertising can be Augmented. Digital Newspaper Sales are the sales of a Digital Version of a Publication. Digital Publication (Paid - Standalone) is a Publication: (a) which is only accessible or distributable digitally and has no Print Version; (b) which has a Masthead and editorial with a unique Start Date and a defined frequency; (c) which may contain advertisements; (d) in which editorial can be updated across editions of the audited Issue; and (e) which must apply for membership with AMAA as required by the Constitution and Regulations of AMAA. (f) Which is made available for purchase. Digital Sales are the sales of Digital Versions of a Publication or a Digital Publication (Paid Standalone). Digital Subscription Sale is a Subscription Sale to a Publication in a single transaction which includes: (a) one or more of the following Digital Versions of that Publication: (i) For magazines: a. a Digital Magazine; and/or b. a Website Subscription (ii) For newspapers: a. or Digital Newspaper; and/or b. a Newspaper App; and/or c. a Website Subscription Where; (b) the sale may be direct to the purchaser/consumer: (i) a purchaser/consumer has taken a positive action to opt-in; (ii) Ability to identify where a purchaser/consumer has opted in through any of the following: a. A direct payment to the publisher; or b. Proof of purchase from a store or other repository; or c. Activation of a code; or d. A registration process; or e. Using a social media identity;. ABC Digital Standards Version 3 June 2016 page 23